The IVF Fertility Blog

Frozen embryos are commonly used during in vitro fertilization, IVF, treatment. Frozen embryos may be used for a variety of reasons. For some, fresh embryo transfers cannot be done due to the effects of fertility medication. For others, surplus embryos were stored from previous IVF cycles. It’s common to have questions about frozen embryo transfer success rates and how freezing embryos works.

Freezing Embryos

Thanks to advances in technology, embryos today are frozen using vitrification. Prior to the introduction of vitrification, embryos were frozen using a slow dunk method. Because the embryos were gradually cooled to their storage temperature, ice crystals were able to form which could severely damage eggs. Vitrification instantly freezes eggs and therefore does not set the stage for ice crystal formation.

When vitrification is used, embryos have a survival rate for the freezing and thawing process of 98 percent.

Frozen Embryo Transfer

When frozen embryo transfer is done the cycle can be done in a way to create the best possible environment for the transferred embryo. Medication can be prescribed, when needed, in order to enhance the uterine lining in order to increase the chance of implantation. The storage process does not harm the embryos, so frozen embryos are just as healthy as their fresh counterparts.

Prior to transfer, frozen embryos are thawed in a state of the art facility and their quality is verified.

Frozen Embryo Transfer Success Rates

New Hope Fertility Center provides world class fertility care in their state of the art facility in Manhattan. New Hope is able to achieve high success rates by tailoring treatment to the needs of each patient. Even when little to no fertility medication is used, New Hope is able to achieve success rates that rival that of traditional IVF protocols.

At New Hope when frozen embryo transfer is done without the use of donor eggs: